Everyone in the room remained silent, overwhelmed by grief, except for Zhan, who felt tears threatening to spill but stubbornly refused to cry. He lifted his reddened eyes to glance at Kai Xu, whose sheer resilience kept him composed, though he was clearly struggling. Kai Xu waited anxiously for Dr. Kuo to return with news.
Zhan, however, avoided looking at Yibo, as his heart grew heavier with every passing second. Finally, unable to stay any longer, Zhan stood and left the waiting area, heading straight for the ward where he knew Bei would be taken.
Sarah followed behind him, while Dai Jie approached Yibo and Kai Xu with quiet sympathy, offering heartfelt condolences. "This loss is heavy, but you must stay strong," she said gently. Kai Xu nodded, murmuring, "Thank you, Dai Jie. We'll manage."
Yibo, however, remained silent, seated rigidly, his eyes filled with a storm of emotions—anger, sorrow, and deep worry for Bei and Zhan. The weight of his feelings burned within him, but he kept them contained, knowing an outburst would do no good.
Meanwhile, Zhan reached the ward door and entered slowly. His face softened at the sight of Bei, who, upon noticing Zhan, broke into a gut-wrenching cry. Without hesitation, Zhan rushed to her side, sitting down and wrapping his arms around her. His own tears streamed down as Bei clung to him, her cries filled with anguish, loss, and heartbreak.
Bei sobbed uncontrollably, her pain raw and unfiltered. Her cries came from the depths of her soul, expressing the unbearable grief of losing her child. It was a pain Zhan felt deeply, resonating in his own heart. He wanted to offer words of comfort, but his throat tightened with emotion, making it impossible to speak. Instead, he held Bei closer, his tears falling silently.
Between sobs, Bei finally choked out, "Zhan, I wanted my baby so much... but I guess I'm not meant to be a mother." Her voice was broken, filled with despair and self-blame.
Zhan gently pulled back to look into her tear-streaked face. His voice trembled as he said, "Bei, please don't give up hope. I know this pain feels endless, but one day, you'll hold your child in your arms. You just have to believe..."
Bei shook her head, tears still streaming. "You don't understand. I've tasted what it's like to hope, to feel the joy of carrying life... only to have it taken away. Maybe I'm one of those people who will never be a mother." Her voice cracked with sorrow, her gaze dropping to her lap.
Zhan's heart ached at her words. He reached out and took her hands, holding them tightly as his own tears fell. "Bei, not everyone's journey to parenthood is easy, but that doesn't mean you should lose hope. You're stronger than this, and I'm here for you."
Despite his comforting words, Zhan felt a deep unease as he thought of his own situation. His hands instinctively moved to his stomach as doubt crept into his mind. What if I lose my child too? Would I feel this same despair? Would I be able to bear it?
Sarah placed a hand gently on Zhan's shoulder, sensing his turmoil. Zhan didn't look up, closing his eyes as fresh tears rolled down his face. For the first time, he felt a flicker of love for the life growing within him, imagining the future as a parent. But the fear of loss loomed large.
Opening his eyes, he glanced at Bei's devastated expression and felt a surge of determination. He would hold on to his child, fight for it no matter the odds. He didn't want to endure the heartbreak he was witnessing now. At that moment, he silently vowed to cherish and protect the new life inside him, no matter what challenges lay ahead.
Zhan held his head in his hands, feeling utterly lost. His mind was a whirlwind of confusion and helplessness, burdened by both his own turmoil and Bei's visible grief. He opened his mouth, wanting to comfort her, but no words came out. Instead, he gently rubbed her back, nodding in sympathy. One of his hands rested on his stomach, which now felt like it might drop with the weight of fear and panic consuming him. The thought of his condition unsettled him more than anything at this moment.
The faint scent of Yibo's cologne filled the air as he entered the room. Zhan slowly lifted his gaze toward the door, catching sight of him. His heart began to race with an unfamiliar intensity, and for the first time, a thought crossed his mind: This is the father of my child. The realization brought an unexpected wave of tears to his eyes.
This was his reality—a child growing inside him, fathered by the younger brother of his best friend. It was a scandalous twist of fate. How could he face the world with this secret? How would he ever meet Granny's gaze, knowing his everyday denial? What about Wang Dad, his Mama, Grandma, and even Bei, who had always been by his side? They'd all be shocked, and he knew he couldn't hide the truth forever.
Worst of all, Zhan couldn't even bring himself to consider terminating the pregnancy. Today, here in this hospital, the sight of Bei's pain and the sudden love he felt for his unborn child rooted him firmly in his decision.
Yibo's face, as always, was stoic, but today it seemed colder, more distant. Zhan couldn't bear to look at him any longer and lowered his eyes as he slowly stood from Bei's side.
Yibo approached Bei, his eyes softening slightly when he saw her tear-streaked face. Her sobs quieted for a moment at his presence, but the sight of her tears made his chest tighten with frustration.
Taking her hand in his, he said gently, "You'll have another child soon. You just need to stay strong and believe. This is just a test of your resilience, and I know you'll overcome it. Please, Bei Jie, stop crying."
He pulled out a handkerchief and carefully wiped her tears, his usual stoic expression softening briefly as he attempted to console her.
At that moment, Dai Jie entered the room, adding her own soothing words to comfort Bei. Not long after, Granny and Yi arrived in one car, followed by Wang Dad and Mom Ella in another, along with Kai Xu's family, including his mother and younger siblings.
The room quickly filled with relatives, each wearing expressions of solemnity. The grief was palpable, as everyone present had been deeply affected by the loss. Granny and Wang Dad, in particular, seemed to take it the hardest. With few children in the family, they had placed all their hopes on their descendants to carry on the Wang name and legacy, cherishing dreams of a thriving family tree.
Now, the weight of their disappointment hung heavy in the air, amplifying the collective sorrow. Yet amidst the crowd, Zhan stood apart, his hand protectively resting on his stomach, feeling the enormity of the secret he now carried.
The way everyone was visibly distressed made Bei stop crying, though her face remained swollen and red. With difficulty, Kai Xu's mother managed to calm her down enough to drink some tea and take her medication. Hot water was prepared, and Dai Jie helped Bei bathe and freshen up. They dressed her in a light gown, as it was already late afternoon. By then, most of the visitors had left, leaving only Dai Jie, Zhan, and Sarah—Zhan's trusted assistant. Kai Xu returned shortly, having gone home to change out of his soiled clothes.
Sarah glanced at Zhan with concern, noticing the weariness in his eyes. Turning to Dai Jie, she said, "Dai Jie, you should convince Zhan to go home and rest. He hasn't eaten anything, and it's obvious he's not well either. Look at him—his eyes are dull with exhaustion. Even Bei is feeling better now. Let's take him home so he can eat, bathe, and relax. He can always come back later."
Bei, sitting on the hospital bed, turned her heavy, swollen eyes toward Zhan. She opened her mouth slowly and spoke with gentle care, "Zhan, please go home and rest. You look terrible, and it's making me feel worse. I'm doing better now; I don't feel as bad as before. Please, don't stay here like this."
Zhan looked at Bei, his heart sinking further. Avoiding her gaze, he lowered his eyes and replied softly, "No, I'm fine. I'm not hungry, and I won't feel at ease even if I go home. I'll stay here."
"Zhan, you've been here since morning without a break," Sarah argued. "You need to rest, whether you think so or not."
"Sarah, I said I'll stay here," Zhan repeated firmly.
Before the conversation could escalate, Dai Jie intervened. "Zhan, it's not a request. Go home, rest, and eat. Then you can come back."
The room fell silent as Yibo entered with Kai Xu and Dr. Kuo. Their distinct colognes filled the room, but Yibo's stood out the most, overwhelming the others. He was dressed in crisp white casual wear, clearly having gone home to freshen up before returning. His sharp gaze landed on Bei, sitting weakly on the bed, though she tried to appear composed. Yibo knew his sister wasn't okay; she was just putting on a brave face. He also knew it would take time for her to recover fully.
Dr. Kuo scribbled something on Bei's file, prescribing additional medication and asking her a few questions. He then signed the file, closed it, and gave her an encouraging smile. "Stay positive, Bei. Better days are ahead. Just be patient, okay?"
Bei nodded slowly. "Thank you, Dr. Kuo."
Dr. Kuo returned the smile before turning to Zhan, who looked pale and unsteady. Concerned, he asked, "Zhan, you're pregnant, you need to go home, eat something, and rest. You don't look good at all. Stress like this isn't good for your condition."
Turning to Yibo, Dr. Kuo added, "I think you should take him home. He's completely worn out."
The room fell into an uneasy silence. Bei and Dai Jie exchanged glances, not understanding the full context of Dr. Kuo's words. The only ones aware of Zhan's condition were Dr. Kuo, Yibo, and Sarah, who avoided meeting anyone's gaze.
Breaking the silence, Dai Jie asked innocently, "What pregnancy?"
Dr. Kuo hesitated, suddenly realizing not everyone knew about Zhan's pregnancy. He glanced at Zhan, who looked utterly overwhelmed, his head bowed. Clearing his throat, Dr. Kuo replied evasively, "He just needs rest. That's all."
He left the room quickly, heading toward the door. Yibo, who had been silent until now, finally spoke, his tone firm. "Get up and go home now," he ordered. "Dai Jie, make sure he rests and doesn't come back to the hospital until he's better."
Everyone in the room was stunned by Yibo's sharp tone. Even Bei and Dai Jie, who were used to his reserved demeanor, were taken aback. Zhan hesitated, opening his mouth to protest, but Yibo's glare silenced him. Without another word, Yibo head for the door to left the room.
Dai Jie gently took Zhan's arm and urged him, "Come on, Zhan. Let's go. You heard what your husband said. Please, don't make this harder. If Yibo loses his temper completely, it won't be pretty for anyone here."
Bei couldn't hold back any longer. She turned to Zhan, who stood up and tried to speak, blocking Yibo's path. However, dizziness overwhelmed him, and he stumbled backward, nearly falling. Dai Jie and Sarah quickly moved to catch him, but Yibo was faster, steadying him with a firm grip. His sharp gaze bore into Zhan as he masked his frustration.
"Is it so difficult for you to follow a simple instruction?" Yibo said, his tone cold. "Go home. If you're planning to return somewhere to do something as foolish as getting rid of that baby, let me make myself very clear: if anything happens to the child, you'll see a side of me you won't like.
"I thought better of you, Zhan ge. I never imagined you'd even consider such a thing. Yet here you are, clearly capable of going to another hospital to do it because Dr. Kuo refused to entertain your idea. Do not test me. If anything happens to this child, I promise you'll regret it. Now get out of my sight."
Stunned, Dai Jie looked at Zhan, whose face was now streaked with tears of shame and frustration. How had Yibo found out about the pregnancy? And worse, that Zhan had thought about ending it? Angrily, she snapped, "Zhan, is it true? You're pregnant, and you wanted to get rid of the baby?"
Through his tears, Zhan lifted his gaze to meet Yibo's stern expression. His voice trembling, he began, "I didn't—"
But before he could finish, a sharp slap landed on his face, sending him falling to the ground. Yi, his Mama had stormed in and reached him before anyone noticed her approach. The sound of the slap reverberated in the room.
Dr. Kuo and Kai Xu quickly moved forward, trying to calm Yi, who was seething with anger. "How could you even think of doing such a thing?" she yelled, her voice trembling with emotion.
New tears streamed down Zhan's face as he remained on the floor, crying softly.
Yibo closed his eyes briefly, steeling his expression before speaking.
"Everyone, calm down," Yibo said firmly, his voice steady but cold. "No one has the right to force Zhan-ge to keep this child if he doesn't want to. Even if he were a woman, it would still be his choice. Not mine, not yours.... But his. As his husband, I have no authority to force him into this, don't worry Zhan-ge since your hatred towards me reach this limit for you to terminate our unborn child, I will set you free. I promise you if that's what you want, I will prefare the divorce papers and sign them for your happiness."
With that, Yibo took Zhan's hand and handed it over to Dai Jie. "Take him home," he instructed firmly.
Yibo wanted the conversation to stayed between them. But Zhan's actions made it public.
Yi stood in silence, her heart heavy and her face unreadable. She couldn't bring herself to say anything, her emotions a storm inside her.
Bei gently took her hand and led her to sit on the edge of the bed. Slowly, she spoke, her tone soft. "Mama, please don't let this anger consume you. Let's pray for him instead. Zhan has made a serious mistake, but let's not let anger push him further into despair. He's already overwhelmed, and the stress could harm him further, especially now that we know he's carrying the baby."
Dai Jie carefully helped Zhan to his feet, supported by Dr. Kuo and Kai Xu. As they prepared to leave, Dr. Kuo said gently, "Take it slow. He's not in a good state."
She couldn't find the words to say anything to anyone, her heart consumed by frustration and disappointment. With that, Dai Jie guided Zhan out of the room, her expression a mix of frustration and worry.
Sarah, deeply unsettled, quickly walked to Zhan's car, which they had arrived in. Dai Jie opened the back door and pushed Zhan inside. He was crying uncontrollably, overwhelmed by the weight of his world crumbling overnight and the shame of his secret being exposed.
Throughout the drive, Dai Jie couldn't stop muttering in frustration, venting her anger repeatedly. If it weren't for the pregnancy, she might have lashed out at Zhan with harsh words and even physical punishment.
When they arrived home, Sarah parked the car, and they all stepped out. Zhan rushed ahead, entering his family's home in tears, dreading the thought of facing Granny and the inevitable questions about the pregnancy.
Dai Jie followed close behind while Sarah got into the car and drove to the Wang residence. Exhausted and weighed down by worry for Zhan's situation, she parked the car and stepped out. Her body was weary, hunger and anxiety gnawing at her.
She headed straight for Granny's quarters, fortunate enough to find her in the living room, waiting for Wang Dad to take her to the hospital. Sarah greeted her respectfully and handed her the keys to Zhan's car.
"Granny, here are the keys to Zhan's car. I'll head home now and come back in the morning."
"Did you leave him at the hospital? Isn't he coming home to rest after being there since morning?" Granny asked, her tone laced with concern.
Sarah hesitated, feeling the weight of revealing the truth to Granny. She knew it would be worse if no one visited Zhan's house tonight, as Uncle Wen might react harshly and punish him severely. Gathering her courage, she replied, "No, we came back together. He's at his home now. There's an issue... His mother already started..." She trailed off, unable to complete her sentence.
Granny's eyes widened in shock. "What happened to Zhan? What kind of issue?"
Seeing Sarah hesitate, clearly uncomfortable, Granny stood abruptly, heading for the door. "I'm going to his house myself," she declared.
Sarah didn't follow. She quietly left the house, walking back to her own with a heavy heart.
When Dai Jie and the Zhan enter the house, Zhan made a beeline for his mother's room, seeking refuge, but Dai Jie pulled him back and led him straight to the living room where Uncle Wen sat with Grandma, discussing Ran's wedding plans.
Uncle Wen looked up at Zhan, still crying uncontrollably, then turned to Dai Jie and asked, "What's wrong with him this time? Has he run off again because he doesn't want the married?"
Dai Jie exhaled deeply, her frustration evident. "He's pregnant, and he tried to terminate it without informing his husband. Today, Yibo finally reached the end of his patience and let his anger show."
Uncle Wen gave Zhan a sharp look, adjusting his posture as he turned back to Dai Jie, confusion etched on his face. "Pregnant? What are you talking about? Explain this to me properly."
Dai Jie clarified, her tone firm. "Yes, Uncle Wen, Zhan is pregnant and tried to terminate it without telling his husband or consulting Granny. That's what happened."
A sharp gasp escaped Grandma as she stared at Zhan, her eyes wide with disbelief. Raising her voice, she asked, "Zhan, are you really pregnant? So you've resolved things with your husband, yet you came here pretending everything was not fine, only to act out constantly? If you didn't want this, who forced it on you? Or should we assume it was us who made it happen? What a shameless child!"
Granny, who had just entered the room and overheard everything, quickly stepped in and pulled Zhan aside. She glanced at Uncle Wen, who was now visibly furious, his expression dark with disappointment and anger. Turning to everyone in the room, Granny said firmly, "Wen, this isn't something to keep discussing like this. Please, let's leave the matter for now so tempers can cool. Zhan, let's go home."
Zhanxianyibo💚❤️💛